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Hydrogen to store renewable energy

Technology

Technology

Hydrogen (H2) is a powerful energy carrier which can be used to link the sectors of power, gas, heat and mobility. Generated by electrolysis and making use of renewable energy it is environmentally friendly. Hydrogen can be produced in decentralized units at the location of energy production or energy demand in any amount.

Advantages of the production of H2

Hydrogen can cover the demand to store increasing amounts of especially discontinuously generated energy, even for a long time. Furthermore, small, medium or large quantities of hydrogen can be generated on the spot in a decentralized manner.

Advantages on the consumption side

Hydrogen is very versatile, its applications are quiet and low in emissions: in the laboratory, in use in mobility and also for the strategically significant national energy storage. Thanks to its diversity, hydrogen excellently combines the sectors of electricity, gas, heat and mobility.

PEM Electrolysis

A particularly efficient method of converting electrical power into storable gas is to decompose water electrolytically into hydrogen and oxygen. The Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (PEM) is probably the most flexible and most promising type of electrolysis. It is possible to operate the membrane with high current densities, which facilitates the stacks to be built so compact. This reduces space and material required and thus, it reduces costs. PEM stacks are maintenance free units. They are able to follow load fluctuations instantaneously over nearly the entire load range. Therefore, this technology is ideally suited to be used together with renewable energy.